Chapter Nineteen

Fade

I pushed my sunglasses on top of my head as I walked into the clubhouse. The place was buzzing with activity; even Fallon was around, but I didn't see Adalee anywhere.

Her cake was on display on one of the tables, though.

It was fucking amazing.

There was no way Sloane or Dove could take any credit for it. That was all Adalee's talent.

"Hey," I called out to Sloane. "Where's Adalee?"

Sloane looked surprised to see me. "Uh, she had to hop on a work call really quick."

I tipped my head to the side. "What?"

Sloane glanced at Yarder, who was seated at the far end of the room. "Uh, you might want to talk to Yarder before you go find Adalee."

That didn't sound good. I made my way over to Yarder, who was sitting at the table furthest away from the cameras with Compass. As I approached, I could feel the weight of whatever bad news was coming.

I pulled out a chair and sat down. "I was told to talk to you before I found Adalee."

Yarder grunted, not looking up from the table. "I should have stayed watching the construction and made you deal with all this shit."

"What shit?" I asked, my patience wearing thin.

"You see Garett take off when you were outside?" Compass asked.

I nodded. I had wondered where he was going, but the guy could do what he wanted. I didn't think Boone and Gibbs were going to mess with Garett and Mark.

"He's headed home. Guy quit after his little talk with Yarder," Compass explained.

Yarder glared at Compass. "Pretty sure you were part of that conversation, too."

Compass held up his hands. "Yeah, but you were the one who made it sound like the whole world was out to get us."

I tipped my head to the side. "What the hell did you say?"

Yarder grunted. "Everything but the truth," he chuckled.

"He said the things that have been happening are just things that happen in the MC world. The shooting at the donut place was random, but it could come back connected to the club, but we might never know. He advised Garett and Mark that it would probably be in their best interest to stay at the clubhouse while filming." Compass shook his head. "Yarder would have scared me if I wouldn't have known that he was full of shit."

"Like I was going to fucking tell them the truth." Yarder shook his head. "Don't trust either of them. Garett will run back to the producers and tell them nothing that is true."

"Garett was the cameraman. How are they going to record the show now?" I asked.

Yarder shrugged. "I'm assuming they'll send a replacement, or I'll be getting a phone call in the next couple of days. I think they only had a couple more weeks of filming. Maybe they'll call it good, and the crew and cameras will get the hell out of here."

Realization hit me that when the filming was over, Adalee would leave, too. Damn.

"Won't that be fucking nice," Compass sighed. "As nice as that paycheck was, I will be glad when filming ends."

"Unless they decide to pick up the show for a second season," Yarder drawled.

Compass shook his head. "Just let me live in my head that all of this will be over soon."

"I can talk to Adalee and see what she knows. Sloane said she had to get on a work call." It probably had to do with Garett walking.

"Probably with Dickhead Don," Yarder grumbled. "I've never talked to a bigger piece of shit in my life. Dude only cares about filming and making money."

And that dickhead was Adalee's dad. Shit.

"I'm gonna go check on her." I got up from the table.

Yarder and Compass nodded to me, and I made my way down the hallway to find Adalee.

I made my way down the hallway, halfway to my room when I heard loud, male screaming. The closer I got, the louder it became. I moved quickly, my heart pounding in my chest. When I reached my door, I pushed it open and froze.

Adalee was sitting at my desk with her computer in front of her, tears streaming down her face as she dashed them away with the back of her hand. On the screen was an angry-looking older man, his face contorted with rage.

"I don't know what the hell is going on inside that fat head of yours, Adalee, but you better get it on straight," he shouted.

My blood boiled at the way he was talking to her. No one had the right to speak to her like that, not even her father.

"My head is on straight, Don," she replied, surprising me with the calm in her tone.

"Your head is on straight, so that is why you decided to start shacking up with one of those bikers?" Don tsked. "I thought I raised you better than this, Adalee."

"As if you raised me," she spat back.

That's my girl. She didn't have to take this asshole's shit. Who cared if he was her dad? Sometimes blood wasn't thicker than water.

"End it with the biker," he growled. "You're making a fool of yourself."

"No," Adalee defied. "I gave up the career I always wanted for you, Dad. I'm not going to give up Fade for you, too."

I felt a surge of pride mixed with anger. This was her father, the man who was supposed to support and love her, and instead, he was tearing her down. I couldn't stand by and let it continue.

"Adalee, this is your last warning. Either you end it with that biker, or you can kiss your job and any support from me goodbye," Don threatened.

Adalee took a deep breath. "I don't need your support, Don. Not like I ever really had it. And you can shove my job up your ass."

Don's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "You're making a huge mistake, Adalee. When you come crawling back, don't expect any sympathy from me. I'm done with you!"

She slammed her laptop shut, cutting off his tirade. The room was silent except for her quiet sobs. I crossed the room in a few strides and pulled her into my arms. Anger surged through me, hot and relentless, at the way Don had spoken to her. She was sobbing in my embrace, her body shaking with each breath. I held her tighter, wishing I could shield her from all the hurt and pain that man had caused.

After a few minutes, her sobs began to ease. The tremors in her body subsided, and her breathing slowly returned to normal. I lifted her into my arms, feeling her relax slightly against me, and carried her to the bed. Gently, I laid her down and then joined her, our arms and legs intertwining as our eyes met.

"Your dad is a dickhead, cupcake," I said, my voice low and filled with anger.

A small smile played on her lips despite everything. "Yeah, I've always known it, but it's still shocking what he just did. I didn't think he was going to fire me for being with you."

"How the hell did he even know about us?" I asked, incredulous.

"The cameras in the common room. They livestream right back to the studio. He happened to be checking footage and saw us."

"Jesus," I muttered, shaking my head.

Adalee sighed. "Whatever. It's not like we were trying to hide it, right?"

I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her skin. "No, but I guess I didn't realize you were going to lose your job because of me."

"Yeah, good old Don knows how to take everything away when he gets mad."

It sucked that Adalee had lost her job, but it wasn't the end of the world. "There is one good thing, though," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Adalee sighed again, a deeper, more resigned sound. "Hit me with it because I am ten seconds away from having a full-blown breakdown."

"Well," I began, "you don't have to deal with him anymore. And now you can focus on what you really love to do."

She wrinkled her nose. "And what is that?"

"Cake, cupcake," I laughed. "I saw that cake you made. That thing belongs in a bakery case, not in a motorcycle club."

She rolled her eyes. "I already tried that, Fade. I did not do well. I can decorate cakes, but it's the whole making it a business I wasn't good at."

"Yeah, but that was in LA. You're in Texas now, cupcake. I think there are a few storefronts for rent on Main Street, and you know you'll have the whole club behind you. Hell, who knows if you'll even need other customers other than the club. They'll sell you out every day."

"You're sweet, Fade, but you haven't even tried the cake yet. I think you might be getting ahead of yourself."

I scoffed. "If that cake tastes half as good as it looks, you'll kill it."

Adalee sighed. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe Don just needs to calm down, and I'll still have a job."

I leaned up on my elbow, resting my head on my hand. "Do you want to still have a job?" I asked. Because I sure as hell didn't want that for her. Adalee didn't need a job where she was yelled at all the time.

"A paycheck is nice, Fade. I can't really survive without one."

"Yeah, but money isn't everything. I'd rather live in a cardboard box happy than be miserable counting my dollars."

A knock sounded on the door, and we both lifted our heads to see Mark standing in the doorway.

"Uh, I don't mean to interrupt, but I just got an email from Don."

Adalee let her head fall back on the bed. "Oh god."

"What does it say?" I asked.

"Filming is suspended for a week because Garett quit, and Adalee is fired." Mark looked down at his phone, looking uncomfortable. "And I'm in charge, which is pretty terrifying."

A giggle escaped Adalee's lips despite the situation. "Maybe Don won't be changing his mind," she sighed.

I could see the mixture of relief and uncertainty in her eyes. It hurt to see her so torn. "We'll figure this out, Adalee. Maybe it's a sign to get back to what you love."

She nodded. "I guess I don't have much of a choice now, do I?"

Mark shrugged. "If it's any consolation, from the chatter I'm hearing with the other crews for Tread , Don is being a dick to them all."

"Not surprising at all," Adalee sighed.

"Oh, and Sloane wanted me to tell you that dinner is ready. It would be a good time to get some footage, but"—Mark shook his phone—"Don suspended filming, so I think I'll just enjoy my dinner."

Mark left, closing the door quietly behind him.

I looked down at Adalee. "You want me to bring you a plate?"

Adalee wiped her eyes and shook her head. "No. Don isn't going to ruin my night. I was looking forward to hanging out with the girls tonight."

"Just the girls?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Adalee reached up and pulled my face to hers. "There is this guy there I kind of like," she whispered.

"Is that so?" I growled softly, feeling a surge of possessiveness.

Adalee chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah, I think he might have a thing for me."

I didn't need any more encouragement. Leaning in, I captured her lips with mine in a hot and passionate kiss. The world outside ceased to exist as I poured all my frustration, anger, and love into that kiss. Her lips were soft and eager against mine, and I could feel the tension melting away from both of us.

I deepened the kiss, my hand slipping to the back of her neck to pull her closer. She responded with equal fervor, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pressed her body against mine. The heat between us was undeniable, a magnetic pull that neither of us could resist.

Breaking the kiss only for a moment, I whispered against her lips, "Maybe we could skip dinner."

"No," she breathed before pulling me back into another searing kiss.

We eventually broke apart, both of us breathless and flushed. I rested my forehead against hers, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.

"You sure you want to go out there?" I asked, my voice husky.

Adalee nodded, a determined look in her eyes. "Yeah. We can't spend all of our time in bed."

"I mean, we can," I laughed.

She pushed at my chest, and I rolled away from her.

"Let's go be social, and then I'm all yours," Adalee said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"All mine?" I growled. "All of you?" I reached for her, but she scurried off the bed and straightened her clothes.

"No, Fade," she laughed, her voice light and teasing. "I don't think you have any self-control."

"When it comes to you, cupcake, no, I sure the fuck don't." It was the truth. After I had a taste of Adalee, I couldn't get enough of her.

She held up one finger. "Dinner." She added another finger. "Cake." She added one more finger. "A little girl time, and then I'm yours."

I dramatically rolled back onto the bed, feigning frustration. "Fine, I guess I can wait a little bit."

Adalee giggled and leaned over to plant a quick kiss on my lips. "Come on, Fade. I promise to make the wait worth it for you." She winked and straightened. She held her hand out to me and pulled me up.

"Every second with you is worth it, cupcake."

"So charming," she whispered. She leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to my lips. "Princely looks and charming. My Prince Charming. I'm a lucky girl."

I scoffed and pulled her into my arms. I was anything but Prince Charming, but if that was what Adalee wanted to think, more power to her. "Only for you, cupcake."

Adalee was the only woman I had ever felt this way about, and that wasn't going to change.